Chapter 2
This was such a stupid idea. He honestly thought James would take it back, confess that it was all a joke and he did not actually want to go out with him, but no such thing happened. Now he has to actually go on a date. He is not even interested in James. Why did he say yes?
His panic is interrupted by his doorbell ringing, too late to back out now. He walks to the door and opens it to reveal James with a bouquet of sunflowers in his hand. His smile is so bright. “Sirius told me these are your favourites.”
The gesture is sweet and thoughtful, but in his head Regulus begins a list. Offer to pick up your date. Bring flowers to your date. Wear a blouse a size too small so your muscle definition is very very visible for your date to admire.
“Thank you so much.” He plasters on a smile as he takes the flowers from James. They are his favourite. Regulus almost feels bad. James is actually trying. It’s adorable, honestly. An adult man, so gone for him, him, that he brings over his favourite flowers.
Once the flowers are in the vase Regulus locks his door and follows James to his car. Adding to the list: holding open the car door. James really is chivalrous. Does everybody treat their date like this or is it just James?
At the restaurant he takes Regulus’ coat and pulls out his chair for him. Conversation flows easily between them. It’s weird, they talk sometimes, but not about anything meaningful. He thought he knew James, but there is so much under the surface he never thought he wanted to explore.
They can't start with the basic questions. Siblings, work or school, etc. They know that. They talk like kids meeting in a playground, favourite colour, animal and food. Big dreams they have for the future.
He doesn’t mind being here, James is fun. There is no pressure, James knows he doesn’t like talking about himself that much and will keep the conversation going. They enjoy their drinks and their food. Meanwhile the list in his head is growing. All the things he should write down as soon as he is home. The ‘how to treat your date properly’ list.
Even he can tell that James genuinely likes him, the faint blush on his cheeks, the sparkle in his eyes every time he makes Regulus laugh.
At the end of the night James drives him back home too. Parks his car and walks Regulus up to his flat. It’s awkward. They keep lingering at the door.
“So I’d like to take you on another date,” James says, “only if you want that too, of course.”
Regulus thinks about it. He can’t know everything about dating and love after just one date. He has to say yes, he reasons with himself. So he tells James, “I would like that, yes.”
It’s so worth it, seeing James smile like that.
James awkwardly sways where he stands, Regulus wants to bid him goodbye and close the door, but before he can do so James blurts out, “Can I kiss you?”
He looks quite shocked at his own request. Before he can take it back Regulus is on his tip-toes, one hand reaching up and settling on James’ shoulder. Connecting their lips in a burning kiss. James makes a small shocked noise in the back of his throat, not expecting Regulus to be so forward.
Both his hands end up in James’ hair. James’ arms twine around his waist, pulling him closer. Regulus gets lost in the sensation of having James so close.
When they eventually pull back, just enough to breathe, it’s like Regulus’ brain jumpstarts now that it has oxygen again, he was not supposed to do that.
He tries to get away from James, tries to think clearly again. He lets his arms fall and stands flat on his feet again, creating more space between the two of them.
It’s a great place to end their night. He smiles up at James, trying to silently communicate it is time for him to leave. And James is an incredibly good listener, he lets go of him, gives him one last kiss on his cheeks, wishes him a good night and turns around and leaves, looking over his shoulder every few steps.